J 2014

Weapons as political symbolism: the role of US tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

SUCHÝ, Petr a Bradley THAYER

Základní údaje

Originální název

Weapons as political symbolism: the role of US tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

Autoři

SUCHÝ, Petr a Bradley THAYER

Vydání

European Security, London, Routledge, 2014, 0966-2839

Další údaje

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

DOI

Klíčová slova česky

taktické jaderné zbraně; jaderné odstrašování; NATO; transatlantické vztahy; ruské jaderné zbraně

Klíčová slova anglicky

tactical nuclear weapons; nuclear deterrence; NATO; trans-Atlantic relationship; Russian nuclear weapons

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno
Změněno: 16. 10. 2014 13:32, PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.

Anotace

Anglicky

This study evaluates the role of tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs) for NATO today. Historically, TNWs fulfill five objectives. First, they provide a deterrent by denial capability. Second, TNWs serve to deter TNWs by other countries. Third, as the most ‘ useable ’ of nuclear weapons, they offer militaries solutions to a small target set of hardened targets. Fourth, they bridge the interface between nuclear and conventional forces, maintaining linkage up the ladder of escalation. Fifth, they serve as a powerful political symbol of an extended deterrent commitment. While the perception is that their utility for NATO in plausible European contingencies is low, we argue that there is variation in the political and military roles of TNWs. We submit that, in general, the first role has lost its significance but the other objectives remain relevant to NATO ’ s present political circumstances, especially as a symbol of the transatlantic relationship and as a safeguard against Russian belligerence. Accordingly, TNWs remain a significant part of NATO ’ s capabilities and should remain deployed in Europe.